Key facts
- The U.S. government transferred four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicles to the Philippine military.
- The transaction is valued at $13 million.
- The delivery aims to enhance the Philippines' ability to detect and respond to maritime challenges.
- The U.S. stated the delivery demonstrates commitment to the alliance and regional stability.
- In 2021, the U.S. military provided four ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial Systems to the Philippine Air Force.
The United States has transferred four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicles to the Philippine military, a transaction valued at $13 million, according to the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. The embassy stated that this delivery underscores the U.S.'s commitment to its alliance with the Philippines and will bolster the latter's capacity to address maritime challenges.
The embassy further explained that such aligned investments, training, and shared standards result in credible capabilities that deter aggression and promote regional stability. This recent transfer follows a previous donation in October 2021, when the U.S. military provided four ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial Systems, valued at P200 million, to the Philippine Air Force. These drones were intended to enhance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and support for counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief efforts.
The turnover of the ScanEagle drones in 2021 was witnessed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes. Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava and Admiral John Aquilino, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, led that handover. Variava emphasized the U.S.'s ongoing commitment to modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines, aiming to strengthen combined capabilities for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The U.S. Embassy highlighted that the Philippines is the largest recipient of U.S. military assistance in the Indo-Pacific region, having received over P50.6 billion ($1.06 billion) in various military equipment since 2015.